Maryland Foreclosure Guide
Maryland allows both judicial and non-judicial (power of sale/assent to decree) foreclosure. Non-judicial foreclosures in Maryland require a court ratification of the sale before a deed can be issued — making the process hybrid in practice. Baltimore City and certain suburban Maryland counties have significant volumes of tax lien sales. Ground rent, which is prevalent in Baltimore, can result in forfeiture of the property if six months of ground rent goes unpaid.
Process Type
Both (Non-Judicial w/ ratification)
Typical Timeline
90–180 days
Sale Method
Public auction (court-ratified)
Maryland Title Risk Articles
Maryland Ground Rent: The Colonial-Era Title Defect That Survives Every Foreclosure
Maryland ground rents predate the Republic and survive tax sales, mortgage foreclosures, and deed transfers. Here's why auction buyers inherit this perpetual obligation.
Maryland Ground Rent: The 17th-Century Relic That Survives Foreclosure and Bankrupts Baltimore Investors
Maryland ground rent creates a superior estate that survives tax sales and mortgage foreclosures. Baltimore investors face redemption, ejectment, and total loss.
County-Level Exceptions Investors Should Know
Statewide rules only tell part of the story. These county-level quirks catch out-of-state investors off guard.
Baltimore City
Baltimore City is an independent city (not part of Baltimore County) with its own tax sale, recording office, and court system. Baltimore's annual tax sale auctions thousands of liens each year — the buyer of a tax lien certificate can foreclose the lien in circuit court if unredeemed for two years, which is a separate proceeding from any mortgage foreclosure.
Prince George's County
Prince George's County has a large inventory of properties subject to state and county ground rent. Ground rent in Maryland is a real property interest, and failure to pay six months of ground rent can result in forfeiture of the leasehold — a risk that survives a mortgage foreclosure and binds the new owner.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County's inclusionary zoning program (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit / MPDU program) places resale restrictions on certain affordable housing units. An MPDU deed covenant survives foreclosure and limits the future resale price of the property, which buyers must account for in their acquisition analysis.
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